Trailer hitch



June 23, 1942. G. D.'DUCHARME 2,287,234

TRAILER HITCH v Filed June 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor A HomeJune 23, 1942. 5. D. DucHARME 2,287,234

TRAILER HITCH Filed June 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor V 6455K?" 2Jae/Maw;

A Home Patented June 23, 1942 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Gilbert D.Ducharme, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 17, 1941, Serial No. 398,470

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in trailer hitches, and an objectof the invention is to provide a device of this character which isextremely simple in construction and which is so equipped as to absorbjar from the trailer without transmitting the jar of the trailer vehicleto the draft vehicle.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, a trailer hitch isprovided which may be readily adapted to accommodate a pin connectionbetween the parts associated with the draft and lead vehicles, or a balland socket connection between such parts as conditions may warrant, orotherwise found desirable.

The invention, together with its objects and advantages, will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the trailer hitch embodying thefeatures of the present invention and illustrating the application ofthe same.

Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 33of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line4--4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken submstantiallyon the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are fragmentary side elevational views showing theseveral ways in which the parts of the hitch between the trailer anddraft vehicles may be pivotally associated one with the other.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that myimproved hitch is indicated generally by the reference numeral 5.

In the preferred embodiment thereof the hitch 5 embodies an attachingplate 6 that is adapted to be disposed perpendicularly, and intermediateits ends bolted or otherwise secured as at 1 to the rear angle ironframe member 8, or any other suitable part of the lead vehicle.

Bolted to the plate 6 adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, as at9-9, are substantially L-shaped lugs Ill-40.

The lugs I0 have the base partions thereof bolted as above stated as at9 to the plate 6, while the main body portions of the lugs accommodatetherebetween a vertical post II.

The post I I is secured in position between the lugs I0 through themedium of screws I2.

The screws I2 pass through openings provided therefor in the lugs I0 andhave threaded engagement in axial threaded sockets I3 provided thereforin the respective opposite ends of the post II, as best shown in Figures3 and 5.

Interposed between the lugs III and the heads of the screws I2 arewashers I4I4.

The washers I I-I4 are provided with recesses or countersinks I5 thataccommodate the heads of the bolts I2 as shown.

Associated with the post II for rotative movement about the post as anaxis, and also for vertical shifting movement on the post, is a hitchblock I6.

The block I6 is provided with a through opening I! to accommodate thepost II and at one end is bifurcated to provide a pair of coextensiveears I8I8 apertured as at I9I9.

The hitch block I0 is normally supported intermediate the upper andlower ends of the post II through the medium of shock-absorbing springs2020.

The springs 2020 are disposed about the post II and respectively, at oneend, impinge against the hitch block I6, and at an opposite end againsta collar or washer 2|.

The collars or washers 2| are disposed about the post II and areinterposed between the lugs I0 and adjacent ends of the springs 29 asshown.

The washers 2| are secured at the desired position of adjustment on thepost II through the medium of set screws 2222, and obviously byadjusting the washers 2| on the post II the tension on the springs 20may be adjusted as found desirable.

In Figure 1 is illustrated an application of the invention. As thereinshown, the hitch 5 is mounted, as previously explained, on the framemember 8 of the draft vehicle, and in this view of the invention thetrailer vehicle, indicated by the reference numeral 23, is provided witha draft tongue 24 having a reduced extension 25 that is accommodatedbetween the ears IBI8 of the hitch block I6, and is apertured to alignwith the apertures I9 whereby to receive the coupling pin 26 foreffecting a coupling of the draft and trailer vehicles together.

In Figure 6 a somewhat similar form of draft tongue 24a, for the trailervehicle is provided, and is-connected with the draft block I 6 throughthe medium of a pin 26a.

In Figure 7 there is shown fragmentarily the end portion of a trailervehicle tongue, therein indicated by the reference numeral 21. In thisform of the invention, thetongue 21 is shown as being forked at one endso as to straddle the ear-equipped end I8 of the hitch block IS, withthe legs of the forked end of the tongue 2! apertured to align with theapertures l9 and accommodate a coupling pin 28.

In Figure 8 the hitch block is shown as equipped with a coupling ball29. The ball 29 is provided on one end of a stem 20 that is threadedvertically through the aligned openings I9 in the ears l8 and isequipped at its lower end with a retaining nut 3|.

With the block I6 thus equipped with the coupling ball 29, it will beapparent that the hitch can then be used in connection with the drafttongue of a trailer vehicle equipped with a socket at the end thereof toaccommodate the bal1 29.

It is believed that the construction, manner of use, and advantages of adraft hitch embodying the features of the present invention will be hadwithout further detailed description.

It is also to be understood that while I have herein illustrated anddescribed a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is appreciatedthat in practical fields minor changes from desire or expediency may bemade therein without departing from the spirit of the invention asherein illustrated, described and claimed, as, for exclaimed as new is:

In a trailer hitch, an elongated plate adapted to be attached at oneside thereof to a lead vehicle in upended vertical position, a pair ofL- shaped brackets fixed to the other side of said plate and. havinghorizontal arms extending laterally from the plate in vertically spacedrelation, a post fitted endwise between said arms and fixed thereto, arectangular hitch block extending lengthwise from said post and having abored end slidably and rotatably mounted on said post and a bifurcatedopposite end for connection to a trailer, a pair of coil springs sleevedonto said post intermediate said block and said arms, respectively, toexert tension against opposite sides of said block and thereby cushionsliding movement of the block in opposite directions, and means to varythe tension exerted by said springs independently.

GILBERT D. DUCHARME.

